. >> reporter: jeremy vogel, a sailor from hood river, oregon missed christmas with his mom sue last year. this year she thinks he's stuck on the other side of the country in north carolina, prepping to return to afghanistan next month. >> she still thinks i'm there doing a fieldop. she thinks i'm in the field right now. >> reporter: the plan, to trick sue into showing up at this local restaurant run by a friend of the family. >> sue, this is gay at betty's. come on up. i have them ready for you. >> reporter: when sue shows up, local reporter emily from our local affiliate katu pretends she's doing a story about holiday desserts, like cinnamon rolls. >> they're delicious. >> reporter: sue buys it and pretty soon starts talking about her son. >> he's getting ready to go to afghanistan. >> he doesn't get to come home for christmas? >> not this year. hopefully next year. >> reporter: then, enter jeremy. >> merry christmas. >> hi, jeremy! you made it home! this is my best present yet. >> reporter: sue's husband, who arranged this whole thing, said it almost fell through a couple times. i